Six senior Labour ministers are handing Gordon Brown an audacious 10-point blueprint for winning the next election.

They are convinced the PM needs radical new ideas if he is to have ANY hope of defeating David Cameron's Tories next year.

And they have drawn up the most far-reaching manifesto since 1945 - when a stunning landslide allowed Labour to set up the NHS and welfare state.

Their demands include proposals to NATIONALISE our banks, BOOST the county's health, FIGHT climate change and EASE jail overcrowding by letting young offenders fight for their country instead of being banged up and OFFER full health screening to everyone.

The blueprint for Britain last night got a mixed reaction from voters, who backed national service while rejecting state control of our financial institutions.

But the ministers believe the billions Mr Brown is now throwing at the banks would be better spent on transforming the way we live.

One told The People: "These policies have to be properly costed but they are not as expensive as they first appear."

And they are urging the PM to adopt their plan NOW. The minister said: "We cannot wait until the election.

"If we do, the voters will dismiss it as empty promises in our desperation to win."

The manifesto writers reckon nationalising the banks needs to be STEP 1 in the drive for a new-look nation.

It would put the Chancellor firmly in control of the economy, curb fat-cat bonuses and stop dodgy lending.

Experts believe it could cost £100billion - but save £88billion over 10 years.

Step 2 is to bring back traditional high street bank managers to boost local business and help individuals.

The estimated saving to the nation would be £3.9billion a year.

Step 3 is to provide grants of up to £5,500 for insulation and power-saving devices to make all homes energy efficient.

It could cost £4billion - but save £2billion over a decade.

Step 4 is to offer three-yearly health screening to every Brit over 20 to pinpoint disease early.

Economists believe the scheme would cost £4.4billion to set up but save up to £15billion a year.

Step 5 is free bus travel for all - with a £2.6billion-a-year bill.

But the pricewould be offset by cutting traffic pollution and easing congestion.

Step 6 is to give all our youngsters healthy school meals for free to tackle the child obesity epidemic.

The annual cost would be £2.5billion - but would save £3.7billion in future medical treatment.

Step 7 deals with jail overcrowding.

Young offenders sentenced to less than nine months could opt to do two years in special Army, Navy and RAF units.

Step 8 would scrap the current rule letting some immigrants stay in the UK indefinitely without becoming citizens.

The change would force them to choose between a temporary stay and applying for full citizenship - and cut the number of non-EU nationals coming to live here.

Step 9would make bosses fund finalsalary pension schemes to guarantee proper incomes in retirement and ease the burden of the elderly on the state.

And STEP 10 would crack down on spongers by making sure Brits earn more by working than by claiming benefits.

Overall savings from the manifesto could be £84billion over a decade.

Many of the ideas won plaudits from voters in a People survey.

Retired Stephanie Thomas, 54, of West Sussex, said: "I like the idea of high street bank managers coming back - but banks shouldn't be nationalised."

She added: "Health-screening is a great idea and the army plan is excellent."

Joe Meadway, 22, a student at the London School of Economics, supported bank nationalisation. He said: "It sounds a lot like socialism to me, which I'm all for, but I'm not sure it's a vote winner."

Student Nathaniel Evans, 22, from Edinburgh, said: "I like the national service idea, but don't give them a choice."

London lawyer Vicky West, 28, said: "Nationalising the banks is stupid. But I like the idea of putting young offenders in the Army. The discipline would do them good - and give them some pride."

Banker Louise Robinson, 22, of Wigan, said: "The energy grants are brilliant. The savings would let people start spending and put more money into the economy."

And retired teacher Norman Smith, 61, said: "Health-screening is essential and a spell in the Army would do a lot of young people good. But I still think the Tories will win the election."